EAST Midlands Airport could be grounded if the British Grand Prix comes to Donington Park, says the circuits owner.

If the race arrives at the track it is feared interference over the race weekend could disrupt services at the Castle Donington airport, and owner Simon Gillett says that the way forward may be to not schedule flights.

But East Midlands Airport say that the proposal to shut down the airport for the duration of the event has not been discussed.

Mr Gillett said: We are working with them to ensure we minimise their traffic. We dont necessarily have to fully close them, but we are thinking when the race is on, no one is going to be flying in or out.

The idea is that at peak times the airport has exclusive use for Formula 1 and us. Were looking to charter a lot of planes anyway.

We would bring people in ourselves from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Bristol, Manchester, London, France, Belgium, Germany, all over Europe.

A spokeswoman for East Midlands Airport said: We are holding discussions with Donington Park as part of a multi-agency group.

These are ongoing discussions, but closing the airport hasnt been raised in these meetings.

North West Leicestershire District Council are due to deliver their verdict on the s100 million masterplan at a meeting in Coalville on January 8.

If given the green light, phase one, due for the 2010 race, will see the track extensions, a new pit and paddock complex, media centre, medical centre and clubhouse.

Phase two, to be built at a later date, will see the building of the main grandstand, underneath which will be a hotel and retail units.